- Email: [email protected]
Fairey shows decisive upturn in sales, profits
F~to~ Steve ~ar~ett
Esther Ibborson Editorial advisoryboat& Dr P Ball(PallEurope), Dr D Bessatahov(LTrfivetsityofStellenbosch), Prof.M Cheayan(Universkyof Illlnoisat Urbane-Champaign), Prof.A Fans(UnivcrsiwofNewSouthWales), Dr T Franken(Membrane ApplicationCentreTweme), Dr E Gobina(RobertGordonUniversity). Dr A Merry{PCIMembraneSystems), Prof.M Nystr//m (LappeenramaUniversityofTechnology), Dr G Pearce(Kalsep). Dr P Pfromm(InstituteofPaperScience& Technology,GA,USA), Dr R Philpottt~g,'hatmanIntemationab, Dr A Turner(AEATechnology), Prof.RWakemno (LoughboroughUniversity0fTechnology), Prof.AYaroshchuk (UkrainianAcademyofSciences). Perruissons may be sought directy from E sevier ScienceRights& PermissionsDepartment,PO Box 800, Oxford OX5 1DX, UK; tel: +44 (011865 843830, tax: +44 (0)1865 853333, e-mail: oermissions@elsevier,eo.uk. You may atso contact Rights & Permissionsdirectly through E sev er's home page(http://www.elsevier.nl),selecling first 'CustomerSuoood',then'Generalinformation',then 'PermissionsQueryForm'. In the USA, usersmay clearpermissionsand make paymentsthroughthe CopyrightClearanceCenter, Inc 222 RosewoodD lye,I~nvers,MA01923, USA; tel: 978 7506400 fax;+1 978 7504744.and in the UK through the Copyright Ucensing Agency Rapid ClearaP/'.eService(CLARCS).90 ToItenharuCourt Road,L o ~ WtP OLE UK; tel +44 (0) 171 436 5931;fax:+44 (0)171436 3986.Otherco,,mtri~srmay havea Io~ repmgraphicr gh~ agencyfor payments. ~wo~ Subscribers may reproducetables of contents or prepare lists of articles ncluding abstracts for internal circulation within their insti~tions Permisstonof the publtsheris requiredfor resaleor di~ibulion outsi~ lhe institution. P e l i o n of the publisheris requiredfor all other ded~tive works, including compilations ann transl~Rior~. Permissionof the pub4ishecis reqoir~ to s[ore or use electronicallyany material contained in this iournal, thcluding any article or part of an article. Contactthe publtshmat theaddressindicated. Exceptas outlinedabove,no part of this l~bticetion may be reproduced,storedin a retrievalsystemor transruitt~lin any term or layany means,ele~ront¢ mechanical,photocopying,recordingor otherwise, wi~out prior wrtt~ pe~ission of the publi~er. Addresspermissionsr ~ t s to: E{sevierScience Rights & PemlissioneDep~mant. at the mail, fax and e-ruai{addressesnotedabove Notice No responsibilityis assumedby the Publisherfor any injury and/of dam~e to Personsof proge~ as a rf~er of productsliability,negtigenseor ~ i s e , or from any use or ~ation of any r n e t ~ produ~, instructionsor i ~ e~rled in thematerialherein. Becauseof rapidadvances in t~ medica~sciences,in particular,indepe~ veril~ton 0fd~ocses and dragdosages si1oul~be made. AIthoLi~h all advertisingruateria is expected to conformto ethical(reedeel)sta~a~s, nelson in this publication~ not constitutea guaranteeor endorsementof II~ qualityor va~ueof suchproduct or of the claimsmadeof it by its ma~ulacturer, 02095 Printed~ Mayfidd Press(OxjCbrd)Lta(
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Minntech's Q2 sales drop, but earnings rise Minntech Corporation's financial results for the second quarter ended 30 September 2000 reveal a drop in sales, but a marginal n net earnings. ..vvenues for the three-month period of fiscal 2001 amounted to US$18.0 million, compared with $18.9 million for the equivalent quarter of the previous year. Net earnings totalled $1.3 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2001, up from $1.2 million. The company says that the results include $150 000 (after tax) for a one-time gain on insurance premium recovery, partially offset by severance costs. The increase in second-quarter earnings, compared with the first quarter of this year, is attributed to a 6% sales gain and cost-control initiatives. Cardio-surgery sales to LifeStream International continue to be lower than anticipated, says Minntech. During the third quarter of fiscal 2000, Minntech sold its Biocor oxygenator and EnGuard PHX 'cardioplegia' system product lines to LifeStream, becoming an OEM supplier rather than a fullservice manufacturer and marketer of cardio-surgery products. The company says that dialysis product sales dropped by 1.1% for the quarter, compared with the corresponding period of the previous year. However, the company reported that haemodialysis concentrate sales rose by 4.7%, and the growth trend in that segment is expected to continue through the second half of the fiscal year. For the first six months of fiscal 2001, Minntech reported net earnings of $1.3 million, compared with net earnings of $2.4 million for the equivalent period of fiscal 2000. Revenues for the six months ended 30 September 2000 totalled $35.1 million, compared with revenues of $37.7 million for the first half of the previous fiscal year. For m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n , contact: Minntech Corporation, 14605 28th Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN 55447, USA.Tel: +1 612 553 3300, Fax: +1 612 553 3387.
IHE running membrane course The International Institute for Infrastructural, Hydraulic & Environmental Engineering (IHE) in Delft, The Netherlands is running a week-long course entitled 'Membrane technology in drinking and industrial water treatment - - Principles, design and applications'. Held at IHE on 5-9 February 2001, the purpose of the course is to provide practical knowledge on the design and operation of membrane processes (including microfiltration, ultrafiltration, nanofiltration and reverse osmosis technologies) in the water industry. Computer design exercises on brackish and sea-water R e systems will be covered in detail, with an emphasis on specific membranerelated problems such as membrane fouling, scaling and cleaning and pre-treatment and post-treatment options. For m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n , contact: Professor Dr Ir Jan Schippers or Dr Maria Kennedy, International Institute for Infrastructural, Hydraulic & Environmental Engineering, Westvest 7, NL-2611 AX Delft, The Netherlands. Tel: +31 15 215 1774, Fax: +31 15 212 2921, Email: [email protected]
Celanese working on automotive fuel cells Reports in the trade and technical press say that German chemicals group Celanese is to work with one of the world's largest engine manufacturers to develop a new fuel cell for automotive applications. The name of the company was not revealed, but the report said that industry sources identified it as Japanese car manufacturer Honda. Celanese, which is working with US company Plug Power on stationary fuel cells for heating and power generation, will supply the membrane at the heart of the power unit, while its partner will produce the mechanical component. The reports claim that Celanese says
that it is confident of securing a long-term deal with Plug Power, a specialist in fuel cells for use in homes, which has a distribution agreement with General Electric's GE Fuel Cell Systems. Celanese claims that its membrane, which is made from polybenzimadazol, a high performance plastic made exclusively by the company, is capable of working at twice the temperature managed by rival manufacturers. For m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n , contact: Celanese Chemicals Europe GmbH, Lurgiallee 14, D-60439 Frankfurt/Main, Germany. Tel: +49 69 3051 3300, Fax: +49 69 3091 79.
Fairey shows decisive upturn in sales, profits For UK company Fairey Group Plc the first half of 2000 showed a decisive upturn in sales and profits, as the group benefited from strongly improving market conditions. Compared with the equivalent period of the previous year, group sales, profits and earnings all rose strongly. Although the headline sales were augmented by the inclusion of Servomex, acquired in mid-1999, the underlying rate of organic sales growth was 18%. On the same basis, operating profit was 31% ahead. Asian markets recovered strongly, and there was substantial improvement in North America. Continental Europe showed more modest progress and the UK remained uninspiring, said the company. In the filtration systems segment, Fairey Arlon increased sales and profits despite competitive markets for construction equipment, and Fairey Microfiltrex gained important industrial business, especially in the US, which compensated for softer demand from its aerospace customers. The same softness was felt at Fairey Industrial Ceramics in requirements for aerospace casting cores. There was a sharp reduction in sales at Fairey Nuclear, where the decline of recent years is accelerating. This was the primary cause of the reversal in the segment. Nevertheless, Fairey expects the companies (with the exception of
Membrane Technology No. 128
Fairey Nuclear) to make progress in the second halfof fiscal 2000. For more information, contact: FaireyGroup Plc, Station Road, Egham, SurreyTW20 9NP, UK. Tel: +44 1784 470470, Fax:+44 1784 470848.
Pall turns in a solid performance US company Pall Corporation says that it turned in a very solid performance in fiscal 2000. The financial performance goals it had set itself were achieved or exceeded. Sales for thc quartet ended 29 July 2000 rose by, 8% to reach 1_5S344.2 million, compared with S319.1 million posted t;,)r the previous year, [',xcluding restructuring and other charges, fourth-quarter earnings antounted to $54.8 million, con> pared with $50.4 million recorded fi)r last year's fourth quarter. For the year, sales increased by 6.5% to $1224.1 million, compared with $11,47.1 million posted (or the previous financial year. Excluding restructuring and other charges, earnings amounted to $155.3 million, c,ympared with $115.0 million. Pall saw continued strength in its Microelectnmics business, with sales up 700/6, and a return to strong growth in BioPharmaccuticals which helped it to achiexe local currency sales growth above 1{)%, a~d increase earnings at a 4milar rate. Within the Industrial Process segment, the company's Water bLlsiness increased its sales [~XF7() ~i~, reflecting the orders it ichieved earlier in the )ear. For more information, contact: Pall Corporation, 2200 Northern Boulevard, East Hills, NY 11548, USA.Tel: +I 516 484 5400, Fax:+I 516 484 5228.
Zenon to provide ultrafiltration for Walkerton Zenon Environmental of Oakville, Ontario, Canada has been selected by the Ontario Clean Water Agency to provide an interim ultrafiltration system to the Town of Walkerton, Ontario. The company's ZeeWeed ultra-
Membrane Technology No, 128
filtration membrane technology will be part of a temporary treatment process in the management of Walkerton's well water. The system will be installed on two of the community's wells, while the consulting team exanfines longer-term alternatives for the community. Zenon's 'containcrised' ZeeWeed system will treat raw well-water to remove turbidit> making the addition of a small anaount of chlorine it more effective disinfbctant. For more information, contact: Zenon Environmental Inc, 3239 Dundas Street West, Oakville, Ontario L6J 4Z3, Canada.Tel: +1 905 465 3030, Fax: +1 905 465 3050.
8th Aachen Membrane Colloquium The 8th Aachener Membran Kolloquium (Aachen Membrane Colloquium) is scheduled to take place at the Eurogress in Aachen, Germany on 27-29 March 2001. Although this is a Germanlanguage conference, there will be a number of presentations given in English. According to the organiser, 1he Institut fiir Ver~Cahrenstechnik dcr RWTH Aachen, the conference offers practical knowledge and operating experiences of membrane processes, and a i m s to encourage an open discussion between developers, manufacturers and endusers of membrane technolog> Traditionall B the invited speakers from industry present details of *ecently built membrane plants. ~Ibpics to be covered include recent developments and future directions of gas and vapour separation using membranes; new membranes and module concepts; treatment of process streams; industrial application of extractive membrane reactor technology: water and waste-water treatment; food processing and l,iotechnology; per~aporation; viipour permeatkm; and microporous membrane contactors for industrial separation applications. In addition, there is a poster session on actual topics of rnembrane R&D. For more information, contact: Dipl.-Ing. 5tefan Sommer,Institut fiJr
Verfahrenstechnik der RWTH Aachen, Tutmstrasse 46, D-52056 Aachen, Germany.Tel:+49 241 8054 28, Fax: +49 241 8888 252, Email: [email protected]
Acquisition gives Nu Electric zeolite technology Nu Electric Corporation of Tarpon Springs, Florida has recently acquired Clean Water Technologies lnc, giving the company an exclusive worldwide licence to its proprietary technology for the removal of arsenic from drinking water using zeolite minerals. R¢~en: studies show arsenic to be even mo'e toxic than was previousIv thought, which ptompted the US Environmental Protectinn Agency (EPA) to classify arsenic as a human carcinogen, The EPA is proposirg (by January 2001) to lowc* t ae maximum allo(vable cnnccntlation level of arsenic for drinking water from the present 50 ppb to 5 ppb, or le~s. This will meet the new proposed standard intended to protect consumers against the el'feces of long-term, chronic exposure to arsenic in drinking water. The ncx* standard will apply to all 54 000 community water systems throughout the US, serving approxinmtely 254 million people. in ,~ther news, Nu Electric says that it has also recently acquired Zorax In,:, which owns an exclusive worldwicc liccnsr for a technology' which extracts and identifies dangcrou, C~yptusporic/i,m and Giardit, t\~o water-borne parasites that can cause seriotts gastrointestinal probl~.ms. Nu Electric has yet to record revenues, but is emerging from its current development stage and should become a profitable comp,my in a multi-billion dollar market. The company identifies, acquires, develop,~ and markets emerging technologies which conserve energy, and protect and e n h a n c e natural resotlrccs.
For more information, contact: Nu Electric Corporation, 624 EastTarpon Avenue, Tarpon Springs, FL 34689, USA Tel: +1 727 942 8938, Fax:+1 727 942 0713.
nised oil and gas en~neer Thomas Cooley~ marketer Duane Baumert and former Husky Oit C E O James Nielson to its board of directors. They will advise in technical and marketing areas, including Synergy's current commercialisation negotiations on its gas-to-liquids and heavy oil upgrading technologies.
Center has issued a verification for the Membralox Silverback 900 alkaline cleaner recycling system produced by US Filter. ~kaline cleaning solutions are used m metal-finishing operations to prepare parts for processing, and are typically discarded when the entrained 'soils' become too great. This system extends the life of the cleaning solution through crossflow microfiltration, using a ceramic membrane to remove oils, without depleting components of the cleaning solution. Chinese projects approved The State Development & Planning Committee in China has officially approved a giant demonstration project in Xiamen, which involves building a 5000 mYlday sea-water desalination plant, a 22 000 mY/day municipal wastewater treatment plant, and a 600 m3/day landfdl leachate treatment plant, using membrane systems. Minntech, Di-Chem expand supply relationship Haemodialysis concentrates and dialyser reprocessing technology company Minntech will not acquire Di-Chem Concentrate after all. Di-Chem manufactures haemodialysis concentrates, and Minntech now intends to expand its existing supply relationship with Di-Chem. Haemodialysis concentrates are used by kidney centres to prepare 'dialysate', a chemical solution used to draw out waste products from blood during haemodialysis treatments. Dialysis removes excess fluids and toxins from the blood of patients with kidney failure, or end-stage renal disease.
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Esther Ibborson Editorial advisoryboat& Dr P Ball(PallEurope), Dr D Bessatahov(LTrfivetsityofStellenbosch), Prof.M Cheayan(Universkyof Illlnoisat Urbane-Champaign), Prof.A Fans(UnivcrsiwofNewSouthWales), Dr T Franken(Membrane ApplicationCentreTweme), Dr E Gobina(RobertGordonUniversity). Dr A Merry{PCIMembraneSystems), Prof.M Nystr//m (LappeenramaUniversityofTechnology), Dr G Pearce(Kalsep). Dr P Pfromm(InstituteofPaperScience& Technology,GA,USA), Dr R Philpottt~g,'hatmanIntemationab, Dr A Turner(AEATechnology), Prof.RWakemno (LoughboroughUniversity0fTechnology), Prof.AYaroshchuk (UkrainianAcademyofSciences). Perruissons may be sought directy from E sevier ScienceRights& PermissionsDepartment,PO Box 800, Oxford OX5 1DX, UK; tel: +44 (011865 843830, tax: +44 (0)1865 853333, e-mail: oermissions@elsevier,eo.uk. You may atso contact Rights & Permissionsdirectly through E sev er's home page(http://www.elsevier.nl),selecling first 'CustomerSuoood',then'Generalinformation',then 'PermissionsQueryForm'. In the USA, usersmay clearpermissionsand make paymentsthroughthe CopyrightClearanceCenter, Inc 222 RosewoodD lye,I~nvers,MA01923, USA; tel: 978 7506400 fax;+1 978 7504744.and in the UK through the Copyright Ucensing Agency Rapid ClearaP/'.eService(CLARCS).90 ToItenharuCourt Road,L o ~ WtP OLE UK; tel +44 (0) 171 436 5931;fax:+44 (0)171436 3986.Otherco,,mtri~srmay havea Io~ repmgraphicr gh~ agencyfor payments. ~wo~ Subscribers may reproducetables of contents or prepare lists of articles ncluding abstracts for internal circulation within their insti~tions Permisstonof the publtsheris requiredfor resaleor di~ibulion outsi~ lhe institution. P e l i o n of the publisheris requiredfor all other ded~tive works, including compilations ann transl~Rior~. Permissionof the pub4ishecis reqoir~ to s[ore or use electronicallyany material contained in this iournal, thcluding any article or part of an article. Contactthe publtshmat theaddressindicated. Exceptas outlinedabove,no part of this l~bticetion may be reproduced,storedin a retrievalsystemor transruitt~lin any term or layany means,ele~ront¢ mechanical,photocopying,recordingor otherwise, wi~out prior wrtt~ pe~ission of the publi~er. Addresspermissionsr ~ t s to: E{sevierScience Rights & PemlissioneDep~mant. at the mail, fax and e-ruai{addressesnotedabove Notice No responsibilityis assumedby the Publisherfor any injury and/of dam~e to Personsof proge~ as a rf~er of productsliability,negtigenseor ~ i s e , or from any use or ~ation of any r n e t ~ produ~, instructionsor i ~ e~rled in thematerialherein. Becauseof rapidadvances in t~ medica~sciences,in particular,indepe~ veril~ton 0fd~ocses and dragdosages si1oul~be made. AIthoLi~h all advertisingruateria is expected to conformto ethical(reedeel)sta~a~s, nelson in this publication~ not constitutea guaranteeor endorsementof II~ qualityor va~ueof suchproduct or of the claimsmadeof it by its ma~ulacturer, 02095 Printed~ Mayfidd Press(OxjCbrd)Lta(
(~
Minntech's Q2 sales drop, but earnings rise Minntech Corporation's financial results for the second quarter ended 30 September 2000 reveal a drop in sales, but a marginal n net earnings. ..vvenues for the three-month period of fiscal 2001 amounted to US$18.0 million, compared with $18.9 million for the equivalent quarter of the previous year. Net earnings totalled $1.3 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2001, up from $1.2 million. The company says that the results include $150 000 (after tax) for a one-time gain on insurance premium recovery, partially offset by severance costs. The increase in second-quarter earnings, compared with the first quarter of this year, is attributed to a 6% sales gain and cost-control initiatives. Cardio-surgery sales to LifeStream International continue to be lower than anticipated, says Minntech. During the third quarter of fiscal 2000, Minntech sold its Biocor oxygenator and EnGuard PHX 'cardioplegia' system product lines to LifeStream, becoming an OEM supplier rather than a fullservice manufacturer and marketer of cardio-surgery products. The company says that dialysis product sales dropped by 1.1% for the quarter, compared with the corresponding period of the previous year. However, the company reported that haemodialysis concentrate sales rose by 4.7%, and the growth trend in that segment is expected to continue through the second half of the fiscal year. For the first six months of fiscal 2001, Minntech reported net earnings of $1.3 million, compared with net earnings of $2.4 million for the equivalent period of fiscal 2000. Revenues for the six months ended 30 September 2000 totalled $35.1 million, compared with revenues of $37.7 million for the first half of the previous fiscal year. For m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n , contact: Minntech Corporation, 14605 28th Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN 55447, USA.Tel: +1 612 553 3300, Fax: +1 612 553 3387.
IHE running membrane course The International Institute for Infrastructural, Hydraulic & Environmental Engineering (IHE) in Delft, The Netherlands is running a week-long course entitled 'Membrane technology in drinking and industrial water treatment - - Principles, design and applications'. Held at IHE on 5-9 February 2001, the purpose of the course is to provide practical knowledge on the design and operation of membrane processes (including microfiltration, ultrafiltration, nanofiltration and reverse osmosis technologies) in the water industry. Computer design exercises on brackish and sea-water R e systems will be covered in detail, with an emphasis on specific membranerelated problems such as membrane fouling, scaling and cleaning and pre-treatment and post-treatment options. For m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n , contact: Professor Dr Ir Jan Schippers or Dr Maria Kennedy, International Institute for Infrastructural, Hydraulic & Environmental Engineering, Westvest 7, NL-2611 AX Delft, The Netherlands. Tel: +31 15 215 1774, Fax: +31 15 212 2921, Email: [email protected]
Celanese working on automotive fuel cells Reports in the trade and technical press say that German chemicals group Celanese is to work with one of the world's largest engine manufacturers to develop a new fuel cell for automotive applications. The name of the company was not revealed, but the report said that industry sources identified it as Japanese car manufacturer Honda. Celanese, which is working with US company Plug Power on stationary fuel cells for heating and power generation, will supply the membrane at the heart of the power unit, while its partner will produce the mechanical component. The reports claim that Celanese says
that it is confident of securing a long-term deal with Plug Power, a specialist in fuel cells for use in homes, which has a distribution agreement with General Electric's GE Fuel Cell Systems. Celanese claims that its membrane, which is made from polybenzimadazol, a high performance plastic made exclusively by the company, is capable of working at twice the temperature managed by rival manufacturers. For m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n , contact: Celanese Chemicals Europe GmbH, Lurgiallee 14, D-60439 Frankfurt/Main, Germany. Tel: +49 69 3051 3300, Fax: +49 69 3091 79.
Fairey shows decisive upturn in sales, profits For UK company Fairey Group Plc the first half of 2000 showed a decisive upturn in sales and profits, as the group benefited from strongly improving market conditions. Compared with the equivalent period of the previous year, group sales, profits and earnings all rose strongly. Although the headline sales were augmented by the inclusion of Servomex, acquired in mid-1999, the underlying rate of organic sales growth was 18%. On the same basis, operating profit was 31% ahead. Asian markets recovered strongly, and there was substantial improvement in North America. Continental Europe showed more modest progress and the UK remained uninspiring, said the company. In the filtration systems segment, Fairey Arlon increased sales and profits despite competitive markets for construction equipment, and Fairey Microfiltrex gained important industrial business, especially in the US, which compensated for softer demand from its aerospace customers. The same softness was felt at Fairey Industrial Ceramics in requirements for aerospace casting cores. There was a sharp reduction in sales at Fairey Nuclear, where the decline of recent years is accelerating. This was the primary cause of the reversal in the segment. Nevertheless, Fairey expects the companies (with the exception of
Membrane Technology No. 128
Fairey Nuclear) to make progress in the second halfof fiscal 2000. For more information, contact: FaireyGroup Plc, Station Road, Egham, SurreyTW20 9NP, UK. Tel: +44 1784 470470, Fax:+44 1784 470848.
Pall turns in a solid performance US company Pall Corporation says that it turned in a very solid performance in fiscal 2000. The financial performance goals it had set itself were achieved or exceeded. Sales for thc quartet ended 29 July 2000 rose by, 8% to reach 1_5S344.2 million, compared with S319.1 million posted t;,)r the previous year, [',xcluding restructuring and other charges, fourth-quarter earnings antounted to $54.8 million, con> pared with $50.4 million recorded fi)r last year's fourth quarter. For the year, sales increased by 6.5% to $1224.1 million, compared with $11,47.1 million posted (or the previous financial year. Excluding restructuring and other charges, earnings amounted to $155.3 million, c,ympared with $115.0 million. Pall saw continued strength in its Microelectnmics business, with sales up 700/6, and a return to strong growth in BioPharmaccuticals which helped it to achiexe local currency sales growth above 1{)%, a~d increase earnings at a 4milar rate. Within the Industrial Process segment, the company's Water bLlsiness increased its sales [~XF7() ~i~, reflecting the orders it ichieved earlier in the )ear. For more information, contact: Pall Corporation, 2200 Northern Boulevard, East Hills, NY 11548, USA.Tel: +I 516 484 5400, Fax:+I 516 484 5228.
Zenon to provide ultrafiltration for Walkerton Zenon Environmental of Oakville, Ontario, Canada has been selected by the Ontario Clean Water Agency to provide an interim ultrafiltration system to the Town of Walkerton, Ontario. The company's ZeeWeed ultra-
Membrane Technology No, 128
filtration membrane technology will be part of a temporary treatment process in the management of Walkerton's well water. The system will be installed on two of the community's wells, while the consulting team exanfines longer-term alternatives for the community. Zenon's 'containcrised' ZeeWeed system will treat raw well-water to remove turbidit> making the addition of a small anaount of chlorine it more effective disinfbctant. For more information, contact: Zenon Environmental Inc, 3239 Dundas Street West, Oakville, Ontario L6J 4Z3, Canada.Tel: +1 905 465 3030, Fax: +1 905 465 3050.
8th Aachen Membrane Colloquium The 8th Aachener Membran Kolloquium (Aachen Membrane Colloquium) is scheduled to take place at the Eurogress in Aachen, Germany on 27-29 March 2001. Although this is a Germanlanguage conference, there will be a number of presentations given in English. According to the organiser, 1he Institut fiir Ver~Cahrenstechnik dcr RWTH Aachen, the conference offers practical knowledge and operating experiences of membrane processes, and a i m s to encourage an open discussion between developers, manufacturers and endusers of membrane technolog> Traditionall B the invited speakers from industry present details of *ecently built membrane plants. ~Ibpics to be covered include recent developments and future directions of gas and vapour separation using membranes; new membranes and module concepts; treatment of process streams; industrial application of extractive membrane reactor technology: water and waste-water treatment; food processing and l,iotechnology; per~aporation; viipour permeatkm; and microporous membrane contactors for industrial separation applications. In addition, there is a poster session on actual topics of rnembrane R&D. For more information, contact: Dipl.-Ing. 5tefan Sommer,Institut fiJr
Verfahrenstechnik der RWTH Aachen, Tutmstrasse 46, D-52056 Aachen, Germany.Tel:+49 241 8054 28, Fax: +49 241 8888 252, Email: [email protected]
Acquisition gives Nu Electric zeolite technology Nu Electric Corporation of Tarpon Springs, Florida has recently acquired Clean Water Technologies lnc, giving the company an exclusive worldwide licence to its proprietary technology for the removal of arsenic from drinking water using zeolite minerals. R¢~en: studies show arsenic to be even mo'e toxic than was previousIv thought, which ptompted the US Environmental Protectinn Agency (EPA) to classify arsenic as a human carcinogen, The EPA is proposirg (by January 2001) to lowc* t ae maximum allo(vable cnnccntlation level of arsenic for drinking water from the present 50 ppb to 5 ppb, or le~s. This will meet the new proposed standard intended to protect consumers against the el'feces of long-term, chronic exposure to arsenic in drinking water. The ncx* standard will apply to all 54 000 community water systems throughout the US, serving approxinmtely 254 million people. in ,~ther news, Nu Electric says that it has also recently acquired Zorax In,:, which owns an exclusive worldwicc liccnsr for a technology' which extracts and identifies dangcrou, C~yptusporic/i,m and Giardit, t\~o water-borne parasites that can cause seriotts gastrointestinal probl~.ms. Nu Electric has yet to record revenues, but is emerging from its current development stage and should become a profitable comp,my in a multi-billion dollar market. The company identifies, acquires, develop,~ and markets emerging technologies which conserve energy, and protect and e n h a n c e natural resotlrccs.
For more information, contact: Nu Electric Corporation, 624 EastTarpon Avenue, Tarpon Springs, FL 34689, USA Tel: +1 727 942 8938, Fax:+1 727 942 0713.
nised oil and gas en~neer Thomas Cooley~ marketer Duane Baumert and former Husky Oit C E O James Nielson to its board of directors. They will advise in technical and marketing areas, including Synergy's current commercialisation negotiations on its gas-to-liquids and heavy oil upgrading technologies.
Center has issued a verification for the Membralox Silverback 900 alkaline cleaner recycling system produced by US Filter. ~kaline cleaning solutions are used m metal-finishing operations to prepare parts for processing, and are typically discarded when the entrained 'soils' become too great. This system extends the life of the cleaning solution through crossflow microfiltration, using a ceramic membrane to remove oils, without depleting components of the cleaning solution. Chinese projects approved The State Development & Planning Committee in China has officially approved a giant demonstration project in Xiamen, which involves building a 5000 mYlday sea-water desalination plant, a 22 000 mY/day municipal wastewater treatment plant, and a 600 m3/day landfdl leachate treatment plant, using membrane systems. Minntech, Di-Chem expand supply relationship Haemodialysis concentrates and dialyser reprocessing technology company Minntech will not acquire Di-Chem Concentrate after all. Di-Chem manufactures haemodialysis concentrates, and Minntech now intends to expand its existing supply relationship with Di-Chem. Haemodialysis concentrates are used by kidney centres to prepare 'dialysate', a chemical solution used to draw out waste products from blood during haemodialysis treatments. Dialysis removes excess fluids and toxins from the blood of patients with kidney failure, or end-stage renal disease.
(~